In the Bible, the “poor” refers to people whose lives are difficult (widows and orphans), people who have been displaced by war, and people who have nothing (Deut 15:11; Ps 82:3,4). “Poor” is also used to describe those who were considered to have little value, even to Israel’s enemies (Jer 40:7,8; 52:15). The Law of Moses made it clear that God’s people were to care for the needs of poor people, providing them with money, food, and clothing (Exod 22:22-27; Deut 16:9-15; 24:12-15).

The Lord God of Israel has special concern for the poor and homeless and changes their condition, as the story of Hannah and her prayer shows (1 Sam 2:7,8). The prophet Amos reminded the people of Israel that they had abused the poor and robbed them of justice (Amos 5:11-13). He told the people that being just and fair was as important a part of their worship as their religious celebrations (Amos 5:21-24). He also warned that God would punish those who took advantage of the poor (Amos 8:4-12). It was believed that God brought judgment on Israel’s leaders and their people (Ezek 22:29), because the leaders failed to care for the poor, and because they did not forgive the debts of the poor (Deut 15:1-11). Israel’s wisdom writings proclaim that it is better to live right and be poor than to be rich and sinful (Ps 37:16), and that the Lord will repay those who care for the poor (Prov 19:17).

The prophet Isaiah said that in the future God would choose (“anoint”) someone to bring good news to the poor (Isa 61:1-4). Jesus claimed that God had sent him to make this very promise come true (Luke 4:16-21). Jesus was friendly to people who were turned away by the religious leaders, and he invited them to be part of God’s new people. He told the poor that God would bless them (Luke 6:20,21), and that they would share in the new kingdom of God.

The one demand that the Jerusalem apostles made of Paul before he went out to bring the good news to the Gentiles is that he should “remember the poor” (Gal 2:10). Similarly, the Christians in Jerusalem put everything they had in one common fund so that the needs of the poor and needy among them could be taken care of (Acts 2:44,45; 4:32).